Tinnyse Johnson was crowned Miss Bahamas World on June 29, 2008. The first runner-up was Tiara Cooper, and the second runner-up was Crystal Bethel. Other finalists were Azaria Claire and Sharanna Thompson.

Chasity Hardman was crowned Miss Georgia on June 28, 2008, in Columbus. She will be the second black woman to represent Georgia in the Miss America Pageant.

Shauna Rowland of Norcross was crowned Mrs. Georgia America on June 22, 2008, in Roswell. She also won the physical fitness category. Melanie Caceres was the first runner-up.

Japanese-born Nina Kasuga, 20, was crowned Miss Asia Arizona on June 21, 2008, in greater Phoenix. She will compete in the Miss Asian America Pageant in August 2008 in San Francisco. Rachanee Jaurequi was the first runner-up. and Ilene Willingham was the second runner-up. Kajal Patel was the third runner-up, and Teri Yu was the fourth runner-up.

Diane Yoo, 26, of Houston, competing as Miss Korea, was crowned Miss Asia USA 2008 on June 21, 2008, in Glendale, Calif. The first runner-up was Brittany Chen, Miss Taiwan, and the second runner-up was Linda Tram Nguyen, Miss Vietnam. The third runner-up was Liane Valenzuela, Miss Philippines, and the fourth runner-up was Tamanno Kamiljanova, Miss Uzbekistan. Ms. Yoo won Best National Costume. Chanita Thinrat, Miss Thailand, was Miss Photogenic, and Miss Cambodia, Ouch Chourp, was Miss Congeniality. Ms. Chen was Miss Popularity, and Sophia Garsevanian, Miss Armenia, was Miss Friendship. The Award of Courage went to Ayako Kosuge, Miss Japan.

Kristen White of Stone Mountain, Ga., has been crowned Miss Black USA. The pageant took place in Las Vegas in mid-June 2008.

Jeannette Bourke, 23, of Sharpsburg, Ga., won the Miss Resaca Beach Calendar Girl Contest on June 14, 2008, in Dalton, Ga. The first runner-up was Sunshine Rodriguez, 22, of Morrow, Ga., and the second runner-up was Loren Carpenter. Both won generous prize packages. The sixteen women selected for the 2010 2010 Resaca Beach Calendar were, in addition to Ms. Bourke and Ms. Rodriguez, Amanda Meredith, 26, of Sharpsburg, Amanda Rutherford, 24, of Kodak, Tenn., Annette Holliman (popularly known as Pokahontas), 23, of Maryville, Tenn., Ashley Faulkner, 21, of Hixson, Tenn., Brooke Waters, 20, of Hiram, Ga., Cattie Thompson, 20, of Chattanooga, Tenn., Chelsea Tiller, 19, of Buford, Ga., Christianna Aronstam, 24, of Nashville, Tenn., Erica Soeder, 22, of Ringgold, Ga., Loren Carpenter (Loren Grace), 19, of Douglasville, Ga., Megan Bales, 27, of Chattanooga, Michelle Sacco, 22, of Carrollton, Ga., Shona Hood, 31, of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Teal Ann Lingenfelse, 19, of Acworth, Ga. The two alternates selected for the calendar shoot were Shanai Bennett, 23, of Atlanta and Kellie Smith, 20, of Rome, Ga. Many other prizes and opportunities went to various contestants.

Lynn Kelly, 21, of Dublin was crowned Miss Ireland on June 7, 2008. She will represent the nation at Miss Universe 2008. The first runner-up was Lorraine Turner, 26.

Marelize Robberts was crowned Miss Namibia 2008 on June 7, 2008. She will compete in Miss World 2008 and possibly Miss Universe 2009. The first princess was Leani Roux, and the second princess was Kimera Markowitz.

On June 3, 2008, Talat Model Management named Yusra Kadret as the new Miss Iraq 2008. She was second runner-up in the most recent Miss Iraq Pageant. There had been plans to give the first runner-up the title, after it was vacated by the winner, but the first runner-up had already made other commitments.

Talat Model Management has announced that Jessica Kadoorie, who was first runner-up in the Miss Iraq Pageant, has assumed the title of Miss Iraq 2008 after the resignation of winner Myra Adel. She will room with Miss Teen Iraq, Hamida Azhar. Also, Naif, 30, of Samawa in southern Iraq, has been appointed Mister Iraq 2008, capping a tumultuous year in which the Mister Iraq Pageant did not take place due to lack of funds. The site www.iraqibeauties.blogspot.com will enable the world's pageant fans to keep up with their Iraqi favorites.

Mariann Birkedal, 21, of Stavanger was crowned Miss Norway Universe on May 31, 2008.

Claudia Ferraris, 19, of Bergamo, who competed as Miss Lombardia, was crowned Miss Italy Universe on May 31, 2008, in Riccione.

Nguyen Thuy Lam, 20, was crowned Miss Vietnam Universe 2008 on May 31, 2008. Vietnam will play host to the Miss Universe Pageant for the first time this year. The first runner-up was Vo Hoang Yen, and the second runner-up was Duong Truong Thien Ly.

Charlotte Labee, 22, was crowned Miss Netherlands Universe 2008 on May 31, 2008, in The Hague. The first runner-up was Jelena Petrova, and the second runner-up was Milou Verhoeks.

Karine Barros, an 18-year-old model from Recife, was crowned Miss World Pernambuco 2009 on May 30, 2008. She will represent the state at Miss World Brazil.

Levy Li Su Lin, 20, of Utar was crowned Miss Malaysia Universe 2008 on May 30, 2008. The first runner-up was Jean Thor, and the seoond runner-up was Valerie Chan.

Alexandra Helga Ívarsdóttir, 18, of Reykjavík was crowned Ungfrú Ísland 2008 (Miss Iceland 2008) on May 30, 2008. The first runner-up was Ingibjörg Ragnheiður Egilsdóttir, 23, of Austfirðingur, and the second runner-up was Sonja Björk Jónsdóttir, 18, of Svarfaðardal.

Amanda Sululu was crowned Miss Universe Tanzania 2008 on May 29, 2008. The runners-up were Jamila Nyanga and Eva Babuely.

Dionysia Koukiou was chosen Star Hellas 2008 on May 25, 2008, and will represent Greece at Miss Universe 2008. Angeliki Kalaitzi was chosen Miss Hellas 2008 and will represent the nation at Miss World. Evgenia Karachaliou was chosen Miss Young 2008, Nasia Anerousi was chosen Miss Tourism 2008, and Menia Mathioudaki was chosen Miss Photogenic 2008. Niki Peristeri was chosen Greek Beauty. Ria Antoniou was chosen Vice Star Hellas and will compete at Miss International 2008. Sofia Roditi was chosen Vice Miss Hellas 2008, Eleni Tskilou was chosen Vice Miss Young 2008 and Pavlina Kostagiou was chosen Vice Miss Tourism 2008.

Nicole Lambeth, of Willis, Texas, has been named Mrs. Texas American Queen 2008 and will represent the state of Texas at the 2008 Mrs. American Queen Pageant in Daytona Beach, Fla., in August 2008.

Yara Naoum, 20, of Cairo was chosen Miss Egypt Universe 2008 on May 24, 2008. She was second runner-up in the previous year's Miss Egypt Pageant.

Gawintra Pothijakra, 22, was crowned Miss Thailand Universe on May 24, 2008, in Bangkok. The first runner-up was Piyaporn Deejing, 19, who will compete at Miss Earth. The three second runners-up, in order, were Ananya Chinsaengchai, 19, Keerada Kajornmalee, 22, and Chawanthorn Wantanapisitkul, 20. One of them will compete at Miss Intercontinental.

Vera Krasova, 20, has been tapped to represent Russia at Miss Universe 2008. She was first runner-up to Russian pageant winner Ksenia Sukhinova, who will not be at Miss Universe due to her exams.

Szilvia Freire, 24, of Budapest was crowned Miss Hungary World on May 22, 2008. Jazmin Dammak, 24, of Budapest, who is half-Tunisian, was crowned Miss World 2008. Krisztina Polgar, 21, of Törökszentmiklós was crowned Miss Hungary Earth.

Carolina Dementiev, 19, was crowned Miss Panama Universe on May 21, 2008. She will represent Panama in Miss Universe 2008. The crowning was the culmination of a reality show in the "America's Next Top Model"-style. It began with 10 contestants, with individuals periodically eliminated. The finals included four contestants. The first runner-up was Karina Pinilla, and the second runner-up was Estefania Varela. The third runner-up was Ginelle Saldana.

Shenise Wong, 26, was crowned Miss Singapore Universe on May 19, 2008. She was Miss Singapore Asia Pacific 1999, Miss Singapore International 2002 and Miss Singapore World 2005, and will now represent Singapore in Miss Universe 2008. The first runner-up was Malvina Kang, and the second runner-up was Gayati Shunmugam.

Alexandra Feybli, 19, was crowned Miss Zürich on May 17, 2008. She will represent Switzerland´s biggest city in the Miss Switzerland Pageant on Sept. 27. The first runner-up was Claudia Willner, and the second runner-up was Natascha Schreiner.

Anamarija Avbelj, 20, of Likovica was crowned Miss Universe Slovenia 2008 on May 17, 2008. The first runner-up was Vanessa Stefanovski, 20, of Maribor, who was also chosen Miss Photogenic. The second runner-up was Klara Kobe, 20, of Zalec.

On May 16, 2008, Holly Young was crowned Miss Pocatello Heritage at the historic Fort Hall Replica and Historic Complex in Pocatello, Idaho. On hand were members of the Fort Hall Replica Commission of the City of Pocatello, including the Hon. Jason Vaughan, Chairman of this year's pageant. Miss Pocatello Heritage and the Fort Hall Replica Commission of the City of Pocatello, Idaho, is in its second year of honoring young women who work in the fields of historic preservation, history and culture. The new Miss Pocatello Heritage will appear at civic and community events to promote the unique heritage of Pocatello and Eastern Idaho.

Felicita Arzu has been stripped of her title as Miss Belize World 2007, according to pageant director Margaret Johnson.

Laura Dundovic, a 21-year-old psychology student from Sydney, was crowned Miss Universe Australia on May 14, 2008. The first runner-up was Michelle McNamee, and the second runner-up was Lauren Gillis.

Emilie Lindblom, 20, won the Miss Bern 2008 pageant on May 11, 2008. She will represent the Swiss capital in Miss Switzerland 2008 on Sept. 27, 2008. She is the first delegate chosen for Miss Switzerland 2008.

Siera Robertson, 18, was crowned Miss Guam Universe on May 9, 2008. The first runner-up was Jennifer Neves, and the second runner-up was Danielle Leon Guerrero.

Former PNB cover girl Meredith Boyd was crowned Mrs. Georgia International 2008 on May 4, 2008, in Gainesville, Ga. The first runner-up was Rebecca Weisler, and the second runner-up was Belinda Lewis. The fitness, evening gown and paperwork awards went to Mrs. Boyd.

Capt. Jen Whetstone, 29, a U.S. military helicopter pilot with the 459th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, was crowned Mrs. Yokota on May 3, 2008. Mrs. Whetstone, who was competing in her first pageant, is from Arlington, Texas, and has a husband, Tracy, who is a master sergeant in the U.S. military. They have three children. The first runner-up was Forence Bigsby, and the second runner-up was Naomi Sapiera. Completing the top 5 were Joy Knight and Bianca Moody. Jenepher Esser, the pageant’s founder and executive director, is a former Miss New Orleans 2003, performed at the pageant.

Lisa Lazarous, 20, of Llanelli, Wales, was crowned Miss Universe UK 2008 on May 3, 2008, in London. The first runner-up was Holly Ann Hill, and the second runner-up was Jamie Williams.

Rebeca Moreno, 22, was crowned Nuestra Belleza El Salvador 2008 (Miss El Salvador Universe) on May 2, 2008. She will represent the country at Miss Universe.

Karol Castillo, 18, representing Trujillo, was crowned Miss Peru Universo 2008 on May 1, 2008. She will represent Peru in Miss Universe 2008. The first runner-up was Miss Loreto, Giuliana Zevallos, 20. Miss Peru World University 2008 was Miss Cusco, Claudia Carrasco, 20. Miss Peru Continente Americano 2008 was Miss Lima, Jimena Espinoza, 19.

Samantha Tajik, 25, of Richmond Hill, Ontario, was crowned Miss Canada Universe 2008 on April 28, 2008, in Toronto. The first runner-up was Sahar Biniaz, and the second runner-up was Aleksandra Malkin. The third runner-up was LIna Lombana, and the fourth runner-up was Genida Prifti.

Wendy Grandell, a 32-year-old teacher, was crowned Mrs. Texas United States on April 27, 2008, in Frisco, Texas. She also won Mrs. Photogenic. She competed as Mrs. DFW. She will now compete in the Mrs. United States Pageant in July 2008 in Las Vegas. The first runner-up was Kayla Wharton, and the second runner-up was Jennifer Johnson. The third runner-up was Michelle Fredrickson, and the fourth runner-up was Sheila Elliott. Mrs. Wharton was the swimsuit winner. Sheila Elliott was the Internet People's Choice winner. Wendy Feichtinger was Mrs. Congeniality. Mrs. Fredrickson won Best Smile. Mrs. Wharton sold the most raffle tickets for the Autism Speaks fundraiser.

Diana Barraza, 21, was crowned Miss Honduras Universe 2008 on April 26, 2008, in Tela, Honduras. She will represent Honduras in Miss Universe 2008. The first runner-up was Belgica Suarez Arias, and the second runner-up was Kathy Fairweather. The third runner-up was was Glenda Osorio, and the fourth runner-up was Eyli Elvir.

Miss Teen World Bahamas, Shanae Strachan, won the Miss Teen Continents (Miss Teen World) in Lima, Peru, on April 26, 2008.

Yvette Nsiah, 20, was crowned Miss Ghana Universe on the last weekend of April 2008 in Accra. She will represent the West African nation at Miss Universe 2008. The first runner-up was Daisy Asare Akoto, and the second runner-up was Joyce Akagbo.

Djin Randall was crowned Miss Hawaiian Tropic St. Martin (SXM) on April 20, 2008, and Debra Lewis was crowned Miss Rum Jumbie 2008 and Miss Congeniality, a title voted on by all the contestants. The first runner-up was Frankie Sibert, and the second runner-up was Marina Kehunga. The Alex Photo Award was given to Miss Photogenic, Julia Cavina. The Junior Miss Hawaiian Tropic award went to Katia Nguyen. Ms. Randall will represent at the International Miss Hawaiian Tropic final in Las Vegas.

Lene Egeli, 21, of Stavanger was crowned Miss Norway 2008 on April 20, 2008. She was the first runner-up in last year´s edition of Norway´s Next Top Model. Now she will represent Norway in Miss World 2008 and Miss Universe 2009. (In 2008, Norway will be represented in Miss Universe by last year´s Miss Norway World, Lisa-Mari Moen-Jünge.) The first runner-up to Ms. Egeli was Mariann Birkedal, and the second runner-up was Lena Bjornas.

Marlyn Sanchez, representing Cuba, has won the Miss Caribbean Pageant.

Samantha Powell, 20, who competed as Miss Horrowhenua, was crowned Miss Universe New Zealand 2008 in Auckland on April 19, 2008. The first runner-up was Hannah Matthews, 23, Miss Masport, and the second runner-up was Rhonda Grant, 22, Miss TR Designs. The other finalists were Sylvia Laurenson, 21, Miss Bettjemans, and Rebecca Connor, 23, Miss Establishment Bar Wellington.

Alexandra Ritschard, 15, of Roseville was crowned the 29th Miss Teenage California at the state finals held April 18-20, 2008, in Los Angeles, before a large and enthusiastic crowd. She is the daughter of Jeffrey and Jennifer Ritschard of Roseville. She was also the winner of the Miss Photogenic Award. She is a member of the Key Club, National Honor Society, and dance Commissioner at her school. She is a member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and recently joined the Woodcreek High School Varsity track Team. Alexandra has danced ballet, modern, tap, and jazz for six years and is a member of the Northern California Dance Conservatory. She earned a place in their highly acclaimed Ambassador Performing Company. Among her other interests are surfing and scuba diving. Her short-range goal is to run for Associated Student Body President. In addition she plans to continue to stay active in school leadership and volunteerism. Upon graduation she would like to attend either UCLA or Cal Berkeley, majoring in Pre-Med while minoring in the art of dance. Her long-range plans are to attend medical school and become a cosmetic surgeon. A wonderful audience of supporters this year brought many signs, horns and noisemakers to root for their favorite contestant. The entertainment this year was awesome. The Kaleidoscope Dancers, vocalist Chris Dance, and the charming Winton Sisters entertained us. The new Miss Teenage California wins a $10,000 college scholarship to the college of your choice and an additional $1,000 college scholarship for winning the Miss Photogenic Award. Her other prizes include a $5,000 Cash, $1,000 partial scholarship to Eagle University, $1,500 wardrobe, Laptop Computer, and several other gifts. The pageant was produced by Danfranc Productions of Elk Grove, Calif. The first runner-up was Lisa Chan, and the second runner-up was Erica Abke. The third runner-up was Rachel Lyu. The fourth runner-up was Gabriela Garcia. The remaining finalists were Courtney Eynck, Jessica Fullmer, Brittany Hambright and Rachel Lofton.

April Jackson, 18, has been crowned Miss Jamaica Universe 2008. She was Miss Jamaica UK 2006. The first runner-up was Doneika Plowright, and the second runner-up was Rebecca Silvera.

Natalia Anderle, Miss Rio Grande do Sul, was crowned Miss Brazil Universe 2008 on April 13, 2008, in São Paulo. The first runner-up was Vanessa Vidal, Miss Ceará, who will go on to compete at Miss International 2008. The second runner-up was Cynthia Oliveira, Miss Goiás. The third runner-uup was Miss São Paulo, Janaina Barcelos.

Maria Teresa Rodriguez, 21, was crowned Miss Costa Rica 2008 on April 11, 2008. She will represent the country at Miss Universe. The first runner-up was Marilin Marin, and the second runner-up was Diana Mackenzie.

Silvia Vanessa Cornejo Cerna of Peru was crowned Miss Tourism Queen International on April 10, 2008, in Zhengzhou, China. The first runner-up was Miss China, Amanda Tong He, and the second runner-up was Miss Canada, Sahar Biniaz. The third runner-up was Miss Montenegro, Dasa Zivkovic. The fourth runner-up was Miss Japan, Akemi Fukumura. The winner of Miss Tourism of Europe was Miss Sweden. Joanna Maria Andresso. Miss Tourism of America was Miss Puerto Rico, Casandra Carin Castro Holland. Miss Tourism of Oceania was Miss Cuba, Gwendalyn Cabrera. Miss Tourism of Africa was Miss Angola, Luisa Patricia, and Miss Tourism of Asia was Miss Thailand, Pichamon Keawthong. Best National Costume went to Miss Aruba, Nabhilac Giannella Julieta. Miss Photogenic went to Miss Brazil, Kelly Pedrita. Miss Friendship went to Miss Uganda, Faith Byanjeru. Miss Press Princess was Miss Singapore, Cheryl Desiree Chan. Best in Qi-Pao was Miss Malaysia, Hui May Suen. Best Smile went to Miss Siberia, Svetlana Besklubova. Best in Evening Gown went to Miss Venezuela, Maria Lourdes Caldera Mendez. Miss Personality was Miss Greece, Georgia Apostolelli. Miss Elegant was Miss Monaco, Morgane Stephanie Marie-Aline Valade. Miss Charm was Miss Bali, Ida Ayu Pradnya. Miss Charity was Miss China, Amanda Tong He. Miss Internet Popularity was Miss Australia, Amanda Louise. Miss Bikini of the World was Miss Canada, Sahar Biniaz, and Miss Disco Queen of the World was Miss India, Devyani Chandrakant.

Kadri Nogu, 21, was crowned Miss Estonia 2008 on April 5, 2008. She will represent Estonia in Miss Universe 2008. The first runner-up was Julia Kovaljova, and the second runner-up was Viktoria Dementjeva.

Stephan Weiler, 23, of St. Gallen was chosen Mister Switzerland on April 5, 2008. The first runner-up was Bruno Tobler of Volketswil, and the second runner-up was Raphael Stocker of Zürich. The third runner-up was Stefan Flury of Davos.

Parvathy Omanakuttan was crowned Miss India World 2008 on April 5, 2008. Simran Kaur Mundi was crowned Miss India Universe. Harshita Saxena was crowned Miss India Earth.

Giannina Ruffinelli, 21, was crowned Miss Paraguay Universe 2008 on April 4, 2008. Gabriela Rejala was crowned Miss Paraguay World. Marile Barrios was crowned Miss Paraguay International.

Matilda Mecini, 19, a model, has been chosen to represent the nation of Albania at Miss Universe 2008.

Nasanin Nuri, 20, of Bern has been crowned Miss Earth Switzerland. She will represent the country at Miss Earth 2008.

Hiroko Mima, 22, was crowned Miss Japan Universe on April 3, 2008, in Tokyo. She will represent the country at Miss Universe 2008 in Vietnam. Miss Universe 2007, Riyo Mori of Japan, was in attendance at the pageant.